Martin's story
Procurement officer role
Martin is employed by Leicestershire County Council as part of a small team of procurement officers. Martin's role is to coordinate purchasing of social care support on behalf of the council.
Martin has to have a very broad range of knowledge for the needs of individuals across Leicestershire, ranging from what is required to enable older people to live independently in their own homes through to an understanding of complex learning disabilities and the type of support and resources that enables people to live in independent community settings.
Martin is responsible for ensuring that he works within procurement rules and that future procurement activity stays within the boundaries of prior awarded contracts. A procurement officer's work is governed by contract procedure rules, which are UK wide, and procurement law, which is EU wide.
In a nutshell, I look at the needs of people who are eligible for social care support, we look at how their needs could be met and then we go to the provider market to purchase that support.
Day in the life of a procurement officer
An example of a project that Martin is currently working on is finding a suitable social care service for three people who have learning disabilities and are currently living in long-stay hospitals outside of Leicestershire. Once complete, the project aims to have found these people a place to live independently in supported living, closer to their family and friends.
On a day to day basis, Martin spends his time working with his colleagues to discuss contracts, carry out reviews and identify ways to meet the needs of people requiring care and support. Martin's role requires a good understanding of finance and the ability to work closely with finance colleagues.
2017- present |
Procurement officer - Leicestershire County Council |
2014-2017 |
Market development officer (working with social care providers to develop their capabilities to provide services to local authority / raise their quality) – local authority |
2012-2014 |
Autism project worker – local authority – response to changes in legislation – project to support adults with autism |
2010-2012 |
Welfare to work programme manager – Local authority – supporting unemployed people to get back into work |
2006-2010 |
Employment manager – local authority – service aimed at helping people with disabilities to find work |
1995 – 2006 |
Day centre officer, senior day centre officer, Deputy Day centre manager, Manager day centre– Leicestershire City Council- service for adults with learning disabilities |
1992-1995 |
Residential social worker – service for adults with learning disabilities |
1989 - 1992 |
Volunteer - working with adults with learning disabilities |
1983 – 1992 |
Window fabricator - DIY shop |
I reached a stage in my mid 20's where I really wanted to pursue something I could do as a career, something that could make a difference. I hadn't gone to uni, lived at home and wanted to take steps towards buying a house. With virtually no experience or qualifications I started volunteering working with people with learning disabilities and it was this experience that helped me get my first job as a residential social worker, from then I have been able to continually progress and have built a varied career with experience across a number of projects.
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